Outdoor power equipment suspension system

ABSTRACT

An outdoor power equipment unit having a frame including at least one laterally-extending structural member and at least a pair of opposite, longitudinally-extending side structural members, a first front wheel assembly, and a second front wheel assembly. The unit also includes a first pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the first front wheel assembly to form a first 4-bar linkage arrangement, and a second pair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled to the second front wheel assembly to form a second 4-bar linkage arrangement. The unit further includes at least one longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled to the first front wheel assembly and to a first one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members, and at least one longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled to the second front wheel assembly and to a second one of the longitudinally-extending side structural members.

RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent document is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priorityto, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/861,939, filed Jan. 4, 2018,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/442,171, filed Jan. 4, 2017. The disclosure of each priorityapplication is fully incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Lawn mowers, particularly self-propelled machines fitted with rotatingblades for cutting grass and other vegetation, can produce uneven cutsand transmit unwanted stresses from the terrain to the driver and mower,resulting in driver fatigue and discomfort, mower wear and tear, morefrequent repairs, and a shorter mower life. In many typical mowers, thecutter deck is suspended as either a ground-following deck or a floatingdeck. A ground-following deck typically rides on caster wheels (e.g., aset of two or four caster wheels in many cases) and follows the contoursof the ground. A floating deck is often suspended beneath the framebetween the front and rear wheels, such as by chains, sets of links andother elements. Other floating decks are suspended in various mannersover the ground at a location in front of, behind, or beside the lawnmower frame. The floating deck is raised when skids, wheels, rollers, orother elements attached to the deck contact the lawn surface. The heightof a floating deck from the surface being cut is often defined at leastin part by the elevation of the mower's frame.

Generally, the intent for such a deck suspension system is to avoidcontinuing contact with the earth surface. When a cutter deck travelsover uneven terrain having a strong grade, the cutter deck can contactthe earth surface, and can cause the lawnmower blade(s) therein to scalpthe surface being cut. Cutter decks are generally designed to avoidscalping by rising or floating upwardly. This generally works forcertain kinds of earth unevenness, but some scalping still occurs onsevere terrain. Even if scalping can be avoided, cutter deck heightrelative to the earth surface can vary widely. This is also undesirablebecause it results in an unequal height of the cut grass.

A significant number of lawnmowers have wheels that are rigidly attachedto the mower frame. Unfortunately, when a mower having such a suspensionencounters uneven terrain, the mower frame can respond with significantupward and downward movement. With regard to lawnmower front wheels,many conventional lawn mower designs either rigidly connect the frontwheels to the frame as just mentioned or employ a single axle to whichthe front wheels are attached. In some cases, the single axle can pivotabout a point between the wheels, thereby generating slightly improvedperformance. Whether rigidly secured to the frame or connected to acommon axle, such front suspension designs either do not eliminate theundesirable upward and downward frame movement described above, or onlydo so to a very limited extent. For example, if one wheel of such amower rises in response to a rise in terrain, the single axle wouldcease to be parallel with the earth surface, generating forces thatbring the frame and cutter deck also out of a parallel relationship withthe earth surface. The resulting cut of the grass is uneven andunsatisfactory.

In these and other conventional mowers, improved spring suspensionsystems are employed to reduce the amount of vertical frame motion whenone or more wheels encounter unevenness in the earth surface beingtraversed. These spring systems improve traction of such mowers bymaintaining improved contact between the wheels and the surface beingtraversed. However, these spring suspension systems can cause or allowthe frame to roll relative to the cutting surface, such as, for example,when a mower is turned sharply or navigates a steep hillside. When aframe rolls, a floating cutter deck (and in many cases, even aground-following cutter deck) rolls with the frame, resulting in oneside of the cutter deck being closer to the cutting surface than theother. Consequentially, the cut of the grass is uneven andunsatisfactory.

In some conventional mowers, caster wheels are suspended on linkageswhich change the camber of the wheels throughout the travel of thelinkages. Such suspension designs typically allow the caster wheels towobble like the wheels on a shopping cart, decreasing mower stabilityand increasing the likelihood of turf damage.

In order to address cutting quality, rider comfort, and suspension wearproblems, many conventional lawn mowers employ suspensions having one ormore springs. Although such spring suspensions do represent animprovement and can help to address these problems, significant room forimprovement still exists. For example, heavy riders or heavy moweraccessories (e.g., grass catchers) tend to exert extra stress on thesuspension springs, potentially causing the suspension springs to“bottom out” or to provide a limited range of spring motion. In eithercase, an uncomfortable ride results because the spring has limited or nocapacity to absorb shock. As a result, an increased amount of shock istransferred to the mower and operator. The increase in shock cansignificantly shorten the life of the mower and can be a cause of morefrequent mower maintenance and repair. Substituting a stiffer spring forheavy loading situations is an unattractive solution for many reasons,such as an uncomfortable ride in a light loading situation andadditional low-level vibrations transmitted to the frame.

In light of the shortcomings and problems of conventional lawn mowersdescribed above, a need exists for a lawn mower having a suspensionsystem that improves ride quality in a light loading situation, providesimproved steering control and traction, while maintaining improvedcontact between the wheels and the surface being traversed, as well asimproved floating cutter deck and/or ground-following cutter deckmotion.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an outdoor powerequipment unit is disclosed. The outdoor power equipment unit includes aframe. The frame may have a front side and a pair of opposite,longitudinally-extending sides. The front side may include a frontstructural member and the pair of opposite, longitudinally extendingsides may include at least one first side structural member and at leastone second side structural member. The outdoor power equipment unit mayalso include a first front wheel assembly and a second front wheelassembly. Furthermore, a first laterally-extending suspension arm pairmay be included. The first laterally-extending suspension arm pair mayinclude a first suspension arm pivotally coupled at a first end to thefront structural member and pivotally coupled at a second end to thefirst front wheel assembly, as well as a second suspension arm arrangedsubstantially parallel to the first suspension arm and pivotally coupledat a first end to the front structural member and pivotally coupled at asecond end to the first front wheel assembly. The outdoor powerequipment unit may further include a second laterally-extendingsuspension arm pair. The second laterally-extending suspension arm pairmay include a third suspension arm pivotally coupled at a first end tothe front structural member and pivotally coupled at a second end to thesecond front wheel assembly, as well as a fourth suspension arm arrangedsubstantially parallel to the third suspension arm and pivotally coupledat a first end to the front structural member and pivotally coupled at asecond end to the second front wheel assembly. Additionally, the outdoorpower equipment unit may include at least one longitudinally-extendingfirst side suspension arm. The at least one longitudinally-extendingfirst side suspension arm may be coupled at a first end to the firstfront wheel assembly and at a second end to the at least one first sidestructural member. Furthermore, the outdoor power equipment unit mayinclude at least one longitudinally-extending second side suspensionarm. The at least one longitudinally-extending second side suspensionarm may be coupled at a first end to the second front wheel assembly andat a second end to the at least one second side structural member.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a front wheel independentsuspension system for outdoor power equipment is disclosed. Theindependent suspension system may include a frame, wherein the frame mayinclude at least one laterally-extending structural member and at leasttwo longitudinally-extending structural members located on oppositerespective sides of the laterally-extending structural member. Theindependent suspension system may also include a first front wheelassembly and a second front wheel assembly. Furthermore, the independentsuspension system may include a first laterally-extending suspension armpair, wherein the first laterally-extending suspension arm pair mayinclude a first suspension arm pivotally coupled at a first end to theat least one laterally-extending structural member and pivotally coupledat a second end to the first front wheel assembly, and a secondsuspension arm arranged substantially parallel to the first suspensionarm and pivotally coupled at a first end to the at least onelaterally-extending structural member and pivotally coupled at a secondend to the first front wheel assembly. The independent suspension systemmay also include a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair,wherein the second laterally-extending suspension arm pair may include athird suspension arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the at leastone laterally-extending structural member and pivotally coupled at asecond end to the second front wheel assembly, and a fourth suspensionarm arranged substantially parallel to the third suspension arm andpivotally coupled at a first end to the at least one laterally-extendingstructural member and pivotally coupled at a second end to the secondfront wheel. Additionally, the independent suspension system may includeat least one longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm, the atleast one longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled ata first end to the first front wheel assembly and pivotally coupled at asecond end to one of the longitudinally-extending structural members.Furthermore, the independent suspension system may include at least onelongitudinally-extending second side suspension arm, the at least onelongitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled at a firstend to the second front wheel assembly and at a second end to the otherof the longitudinally-extending structural members.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a mower isdisclosed. The mower may include a frame, the frame having at least onelaterally-extending structural member and at least a pair of opposite,longitudinally-extending side structural members. The mower may alsoinclude a first front wheel assembly, a second front wheel assembly, anda pair of rear wheels. Furthermore, the mower may include a first pairof substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotallycoupled at a respective first end to the at least onelaterally-extending structural member and pivotally coupled at arespective second end to the first front wheel assembly. The mower mayalso include a second pair of substantially parallel,laterally-extending suspension arms pivotally coupled at a respectivefirst end to the at least one laterally-extending structural member andpivotally coupled at a respective second end to the second front wheelassembly. Additionally, the mower may include at least onelongitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled at a firstend to the first front wheel assembly and at a second end to a first oneof the longitudinally-extending side structural members. Also, the mowermay include at least one longitudinally-extending second side suspensionarm coupled at a first end to the second front wheel assembly and at asecond end to a second one of the longitudinally-extending sidestructural members. The mower may further include a portion of thecutter deck positioned between the first and second front wheelassemblies and the pair of rear wheels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a ride-on mower includinga 4-bar linkage front suspension arrangement in accordance with anaspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a ride-on mower including a 4-barlinkage front suspension arrangement in accordance with an aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of a portion of a ride-onmower including a 4-bar linkage front suspension arrangement inaccordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a ride-on mower including a 4-barlinkage front suspension arrangement in accordance with another aspectof the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the ride-on mower of FIG.4 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a suspensionassembly with 4-bar linkage in accordance with an aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7A illustrates a partial front view of a front wheel independentsuspension assembly in a first configuration in accordance with anaspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 7B illustrates the front wheel independent suspension assembly ofFIG. 7A in a second configuration.

FIG. 7C illustrates the front wheel independent suspension assembly ofFIG. 7A in a third configuration.

FIG. 7D illustrates the front wheel independent suspension assembly ofFIG. 7A in a fourth configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top down view of a cutter deck and front wheelindependent suspension assembly arrangement in accordance with anotheraspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front perspective view of a portion of a ride-onmower including a 4-bar linkage front suspension arrangement inaccordance with another aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use embodiments of the disclosure. Various modificationsto the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of thedisclosure. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure are not intended to belimited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Thefollowing detailed description is to be read with reference to thefigures, in which like elements in different figures have like referencenumerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments of the disclosure. Skilled artisans will recognize theexamples provided herein have many useful alternatives that fall withinthe scope of embodiments of the disclosure.

In this document, position-identifying terms such as “vertical”,“horizontal”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “top”, and “bottom” are notintended to limit the invention to a particular direction ororientation, but instead are only intended to denote relative positions,or positions corresponding to directions shown when a mower is orientedas shown in the figures.

Although the mowers of some embodiments of the disclosure can beequipped with either a ground-following cutter deck or a floating cutterdeck, using a floating cutter deck with a mower having independentsuspension requires additional considerations. Rolling of a lawn mowerchassis is induced under certain situations. Among them are: (a) whenthe mower changes direction while traveling forward and centrifugalforce acts laterally at the center of gravity of the machine; (b) whenthe mower traverses a slope and the gravitational force vector shiftsdirection relative to the plane of the mower wheel tread, and (c) whenthe mower travels over a surface undulation, lifting or lowering one orboth wheels on one side, thereby rotating the mower chassis in space.Conventional mowers typically use wheels that are rigidly connected tothe chassis. In these mowers, the chassis cannot roll relative to thewheels; therefore, there is no rolling of types (a) and (b). Otherconventional mowers have a pivoting front or rear axle at one end, withan opposing end axle rigidly attached to the chassis. In these mowers,the rigidly attached axle limits the chassis roll which the pivotingaxle otherwise permits to the extent the chassis is sufficiently rigid.The mower of some embodiments of the disclosure can include both frontand rear independent wheel suspension systems, beneficially minimizingrolling of the machine when a wheel passes over certain small bumps anddepressions—type (c) rolling.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure related to ride-onmower 100 having a ground-following deck. FIG. 1 illustrates a frontperspective view of a portion of a ride-on mower 100 including a 4-barlinkage suspension assembly in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a ride-on mower 100including a 4-bar linkage suspension assembly in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspectiveview of a portion of a ride-on mower 100 including a 4-bar linkagesuspension assembly in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. FIGS. 4-5 illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure relatedto ride-on mower 700. The mower 700 can comprise all of the componentsand structure of the mower 100 with an alternative 4-bar linkagesuspension assembly. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of aride-on mower 700 including a 4-bar linkage suspension assembly inaccordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 illustratesa front perspective view of the ride-on mower 700 of FIG. 4 inaccordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. Further, the 4-barlinkage suspension assembly shown in FIGS. 4-5 is shown in FIG. 6 whichillustrates a perspective view of a portion of a suspension assemblywith 4-bar linkage in accordance with some embodiments of thedisclosure. Other than the alternative 4-bar linkage embodiments ofride-on mower 100 and ride-on mower 700 described above, the followingdiscussion of other components, structures, assemblies, and operatingfunctions and characteristics can be considered equivalent between theride-on mowers 100, 700.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the ride-on mower 100 illustratedin FIGS. 1-3 and the ride-on mower 700 shown in FIGS. 4-5 can include amotor and a motor cover (not shown), a chassis 112, a front frame 114, apair of front wheel assemblies 122, a pair of rear wheels 123, a cutterdeck 108, a seat 110, and a pair of front wheel independent suspensionassemblies 116. The particular type of ride-on mowers 100, 700illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 are presented by way of example only. In thisregard, the suspension systems of some embodiments of the disclosure canbe employed on any type of riding or non-riding lawn mower and theillustrations and accompanying descriptions presented herein should notbe limited by any one or more features, components, assemblies, orfunctions of the ride-on mowers 100, 700.

In some embodiments, a motor (e.g., an internal combustion engine, oneor more electric motors, etc.) can be mounted to the chassis 112 andcovered by a motor cover. In some embodiments, the chassis 112 can bemounted or otherwise coupled to the front frame 114, which in someembodiments can be a separate frame coupled to a rear frame (not shown)in any conventional manner or can define a front portion of a singleframe of the ride-on mowers 100, 700. In some embodiments, the ride-onmowers 100, 700 can comprise a single frame 114 upon which the motor ismounted (whether by a chassis 112 or otherwise). In some embodiments,the rear wheels 123 of the ride-on mower 100 can be mounted to thechassis 112 by a pair of rear wheel independent suspension assemblies,such as that which is shown and described in any one of U.S. Pat. No.10,005,437, U.S. Pat. No. 9,848,776, U.S. Pat. No. 9,707,842, U.S. Pat.No. 9,597,957, U.S. Pat. No. 9,481,242, U.S. Pat. No. 9,161,490, U.S.Pat. No. 8,397,367, U.S. Pat. No. 7,930,813, and/or U.S. Pat. No.7,374,187, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. However,in other embodiments, the rear wheels 123 can instead be rigidly mountedto the mower front frame 114, can be coupled to an axle that can bepivoted with respect to the front frame 114, or can be attached to thefront frame 114 in any other manner. Furthermore, while not shown, insome embodiments, a weight or weights may be added to a portion of thefront frame 114, the pair of front wheel assemblies 122, and/or thecutter deck 108 so as to accommodate for variations in front-to-backweight distribution (e.g., the addition of a grass collector on the rearof the mower 100).

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the cutter deck 108 of theride-on mower 100 can be in any location with respect to the front wheelassemblies 122 and rear wheels and with respect to the front frame 114.However, in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the cutter deck108 can be positioned between the front wheel assemblies 122 and rearwheels 123. In some embodiments, the cutter deck 108 can include atleast one cutter (not shown) for cutting grass or other vegetation on aground surface, and in some embodiments can be raised and lowered withrespect to the ground surface. In some embodiments, the cutter deck 108can be a floating or ground-following cutter deck. In some embodiments,the floating cutter deck 108 illustrated at least in FIG. 1 is presentedby way of example only. In this embodiment, the cutter deck 108 can becoupled to and suspended from the front frame 114. In some embodiments,connection to the rear independent suspension assemblies can permit thecutter deck 108 to follow upward and downward movement of the rearwheels 123 in response to changing terrain elevation, therebymaintaining the cutter deck 108 in a more stable relationship withrespect to the ground surface even as the ride-on mower 100 traversesuneven terrain. For example, the cutter deck 108 according to someembodiments of the disclosure can be directly or indirectly coupled tothe front frame 114 of the ride-on mower 100 in a number of differentmanners, some of which provide different types of cutter deck movementand cutter deck performance. For example, the cutter deck 108 can besuspended entirely from the front frame 114 of the ride-on mower 100, orcan be suspended at the front frame 114 and a rear independentsuspension system. In some embodiments, the cutter deck 108 can besuspended from the front frame 114 by a front independent suspensionsystem while being suspended from the rear by a frame of the ride-onmower 100. In some further embodiments, the cutter deck 108 can bedirectly or indirectly suspended from the rear by rear independentsuspension systems while being suspended from the front by the frontframe 114 of the ride-on mower 100. In some embodiments, the front endof the cutter deck 108 can be substantially unresponsive to upward anddownward movement of the front wheel assemblies 122. However, the rearend of the cutter deck 108 can follow the upward and downward movementof the rear wheels by virtue of the cutter deck's connection to the rearindependent suspension assemblies. Such connections can be establishedin a number of different manners, such as, e.g., bolts coupled at oneend to respective brackets on the rear end of the cutter deck and torespective crank arms pivotally coupled to the rear independentsuspension assemblies. In other embodiments, the cutter deck 108 can becoupled to the rear independent suspension assemblies in any othermanner desired, such as by securing chains, cables, links, straps, bars,or other elements to the cutter deck 108 and to the rear independentsuspension assemblies. However, as will be set forth in further detailbelow, in some embodiments, the front end of cutter deck 108 may beresponsive to upward and downward movement of the front wheel assemblies122, thereby enabling at least a portion of the cutter deck 108 tofollow the travel of front wheel assembly 122 over varied terrain.

With reference again to the embodiment of some embodiments of thedisclosure illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the mowers 100, 700 can have achassis 112, a front frame 114 (or in alternative embodiments, a frontportion of a main frame), and a pair of front wheel independentsuspension assemblies 116, 716. In some embodiments, the front frame 114can be coupled to the chassis 112 by a plurality of bolts or otherthreaded fasteners. In some further embodiments, other conventionalmethods of fastening the front frame 114 to the chassis 112 can insteadbe used. By way of example only, the front frame 114 can be coupled tothe chassis 112 by screws, rivets, pins, welding or brazing,inter-engaging elements, and the like, and/or can be integral with thechassis 112 in some embodiments. For purposes of reference in thefollowing description, a substantially horizontal axis (axis 120 formower 100 and axis 720 for mower 700) can run through the center of thefront frame 114 and chassis 112 to divide the front frame 114 andchassis 112 into two sides. In some embodiments, the front frame 114 caninclude opposite sides and a front portion or section, each of which aredefined by one or more beams, rods, bars, plates, or other structuralmembers. For example, the front frame 114 in the illustrated embodimentis defined by side beams 115 and a front beam 117 coupled together bywelds (although any other manner of connecting these elements togethercan instead be employed, including those mentioned above with regard toconnection of the chassis 112 and frame 114). As shown in theembodiments of FIGS. 1-5, the side beams 115 can be substantiallyparallel to the horizontal axis 120, 720, while the front beam 117 issubstantially orthogonal to the horizontal axis 120, 720. However, anyother relative orientations of these beams 115, 117 can instead beemployed in alternative embodiments. In some embodiments, the frontframe 114 can comprise side beams 115 that are tubular. In some furtherembodiments, the front frame 114 can comprise front beams 117 that aretubular. In some further embodiments, the beams 115, 117 can includesolid sections. In some embodiments, the beams 115, 117 can includesquare, rectangular, or I-beam cross-sections. In some furtherembodiments, the beams 115, 117 can include circular or ellipticalcross-sections.

As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, thefront frame 114 of some embodiments of the disclosure can be constructedof a wide variety of structural elements. In some embodiments, theseelements include tubular beams as mentioned above. Tubular beams providea relatively strong and lightweight framework for the ride-on mower 100compared to other structural members that can be employed. In otherembodiments however, the front frame 114 can be constructed partially orentirely of different structural members, including without limitationbars, rods, non-tubular beams having any cross-sectional shape (e.g.,L-shapes, I-shapes, C-shapes, etc.), plates, and the like. Accordingly,as used herein and in the appended claims, the term “beam” (whetherreferring to the front beam 117, a side beam 115, or any other beam ofthe front frame 114) is intended to encompass all of these structuralmembers.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the illustrated ride-on mowers100, 700 can include front wheel independent suspension assembliescoupled to the front frame 114. For example, in some embodiments of thedisclosure, the illustrated ride-on mower 100 can include a pair offront wheel independent suspension assemblies 116 coupled to the frontframe 114. Further, for example, in some embodiments of the disclosure,the illustrated ride-on mower 700 can include a pair of front wheelindependent suspension assemblies 716 coupled to the front frame 114.Although the independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 can be differentin structure, elements, and/or connection, both independent suspensionassemblies 116, 716 in the illustrated embodiments contain identicalcomponents and are mirror images of each other with respect to thehorizontal axis 120, 720 respectively. In some embodiments, each of thepairs of independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 can be connected toa wheel assembly 122, with each wheel assembly including aground-contacting wheel. However, in other embodiments, the independentsuspension assemblies 116, 716 can instead have other types of rollingdevices, including without limitation rollers, balls, and tires coupledin any conventional manner for rotation and for support of the frontframe 114. For example, in some embodiments, each of the front wheelassemblies 122 may include caster wheel assemblies, with the casterwheel assemblies being supported by an axle 124 coupled to an invertedyoke 126. In some further embodiments, other types of rolling elementmounting methods are possible, such as a bent axle extending outward andupward from the axis of rotation of the rolling element for coupling tothe rest of the independent suspension assemblies 116, 716.

In some embodiments, each front wheel assembly 122 can be capable ofpivoting about a vertical or substantially vertical axis, with up to360° of rotation for each wheel. In this regard, in some embodiments,the front wheel assemblies 122 can be pivotally coupled to the rest ofthe front independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 in a number ofdifferent manners. For example, in some embodiments, the yokes 126 ofthe wheel assemblies 122 can be pivotally coupled to the rest of thefront independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 by posts 128 extendingvertically or substantially vertically from each yoke 126. In someembodiments, these yokes 126 can be pivotally coupled to the rest oftheir respective suspension assemblies 116, 716 in any conventionalmanner. By way of example only, a seal, washer, and bearings can bereceived on the posts 128 so that the posts 128 and yokes 126 can pivotwith respect to the front frame 114.

Referring initially to the mower 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3, in someembodiments, the mower 100 can include front independent suspensionassembly 116 with two laterally-extending pairs of suspension arms,where one laterally-extending pair of suspension arms is positionedpivotally coupling a front wheel assembly to mower 100 on one side ofthe axis 120, and another laterally-extending pair of suspension arms ispositioned pivotally coupling a front wheel assembly to mower 100 on theopposite one side of the axis 120. For example, in some embodiments, themower 100 can comprise laterally-extending suspension arm pair 144 onone side of the axis 120, and laterally-extending suspension arm pair146 on the opposite side of the axis 120. In some embodiments, thesuspension arm pair 144 can comprise suspension arm 144 a and suspensionarm 144 b, which cooperate to form a 4-bar-linkage-type suspensionconfiguration. In the non-limiting embodiments shown, the suspension arm144 a and suspension arm 144 b are shown generally parallel to eachother. With such a generally parallel configuration, angular movement ofrespective suspension arms 144 a, 144 b maintains the post 128 in agenerally vertical orientation. This, in turn, maintains the respectivewheel assemblies 122 in a generally vertical orientation, as well,regardless of the angular position of suspension arm pair 144, thebenefits of which will be discussed in further detail below. However, inother embodiments, the suspension arm 144 a and suspension arm 144 b maybe configured in an arrangement in which the respective suspension arms144 a, 144 b are not entirely parallel to one another, but are stillsubstantially parallel to one another. For example, the suspension arms144 a, 144 b may be angled relative to one another by a certain amount(e.g., between 0°-5°, between 0°-10°, between 0°-20°), yet still becapable of maintaining the wheel assembly 122 in a substantiallyvertical orientation, even during changes in angular position of thesuspension arm pair 144 during operation. Thus, in accordance with thedisclosure, the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b may be substantiallyparallel to one another, which, for the purposes of this disclosure,includes the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b not only being entirelyparallel to one another, but also includes the suspension arms 144 a,144 b being slightly angled relative to one another (e.g., between0°-5°, between 0°-10°, between 0°-20°).

In some embodiments, each of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b may bepivotally coupled to an associated front wheel assembly 122 at a frontstructural member, such as, e.g., the front of the front frame 114.Furthermore, a suspension side arm 148 extending longitudinally relativeto front frame 114 may pivotally couple the front wheel assembly 122 tothe side of the front frame 114. In some embodiments,longitudinally-extending side suspension arm 148 is fixedly coupled via,e.g., welding to the respective front wheel assembly 122, yet pivotallycoupled to the respective side of front frame 114. However, in otherembodiments, side suspension arm 148 may also be pivotally coupled tothe respective front wheel assembly 122 via any appropriate means. Aswill be described in further detail below, suspension side arm 148 isconfigured to provide structural support for the suspension arm pair 144in a longitudinal direction, while still enabling suspension arm pair144 to pivot relative to front frame 114.

Further, on the opposite side of the front frame 114, the suspension armpair 146 may comprise suspension arm 146 a and suspension arm 146 b.Each of the suspension arms 146 a, 146 b can pivotally couple to anassociated front wheel assembly 122 to the front of the front frame 114on the opposite side. Another suspension side arm 148 extendinglongitudinally relative to front frame 114 may pivotally couple thefront wheel assembly 122 to the side of the front frame 114 on theopposite side to where suspension arms 144 a, 144 b are pivotallycoupled to the front frame 114. Additionally, the posts 128 can bepivotally coupled to the suspension arm pairs 144,146 and fixedly orpivotally coupled to suspension side arms 148 on each side of the frontframe 114. For example, in some embodiments, suspension arms 144 a, 144b can be coupled to a joint 136 at one end and to a front plate 150 ofthe front beam 117 at the other end such that suspension arms 144 a, 144b are vertically offset relative to one another, and suspension arms 146a, 146 b can be coupled to the joint 136 and to the front plate 150 ofthe front beam 117 at the other end such that suspension arms 146 a, 146b are also vertically offset from one another. Furthermore, similar tosuspension arms 144 a, 144 b described above, suspension arms 146 a, 146b may be substantially parallel to one another, which, for the purposesof this disclosure, includes the suspension arms 146 a, 146 b not onlybeing entirely parallel to one another, but also includes the suspensionarms 146 a, 146 b being slightly angled relative to one another (e.g.,between 0°-5°, between 0°-10°, between 0°-20°).

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, a mower 700 having a floating deck is shown.However, it is to be understood that mower 700 is not limited to usewith a floating deck, and a ground-following deck may be used. In someembodiments, mower 700 may include front independent suspension assembly716 with two pairs of suspension arms, where one pair of suspension armsis positioned coupling a front wheel assembly to mower 700 on one sideof the axis 720, and another pair of suspension arms is positionedcoupling another front wheel assembly to mower 700 on the opposite oneside of the axis 720. For example, in some embodiments, the mower 700can comprise suspension arm pair 744 on one side of the axis 720, andsuspension arm pair 746 on the opposite side. In some embodiments, thesuspension arm pair 744 can comprise suspension arm 744 a and suspensionarm 744 b. In the non-limiting embodiments shown, the suspension arm 744a and suspension arm 744 b are shown generally parallel to each other.In other embodiments, the suspension arm 744 a and suspension arm 744 bcan include a generally non-parallel arrangement, i.e., substantiallyparallel to one another, as discussed above with respect to suspensionarms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b. In some embodiments, each of thesuspension arms 744 a, 744 b can be coupled to an associated front wheelassembly 122 at the front of the front frame 114. Further, a suspensionside arm 148 can couple the front wheel assembly 122 to the side of thefront frame 114. Further, on the opposite side of the front frame 114,the suspension arm pair 746 can comprise suspension arm 746 a andsuspension arm 746 b. Each of the suspension arms 746 a, 746 b cancouple to an associated front wheel assembly 122 to the front of thefront frame 114 on the opposite side. Further, a suspension side arm 148can couple the front wheel assembly 122 to the side of the front frame114 on the opposite side to where suspension arms 744 a, 744 b arecoupled to the front frame 114. Further, the posts 128 can be pivotallycoupled to the suspension arm pairs 744,746 and the suspension side arms148 on each side of the front frame 114. For example, in someembodiments, suspension arms 744 a, 744 b can be coupled to the joint136 at one end and to the front plate 150 of the front beam 117 at theother end, and suspension arms 746 a, 746 b can be coupled to the joint136 and to the front plate 150 of the front beam 117 at the other end.

Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and 4-5, in some aspects, thejoint 136 can include one or more flanges 138 to which any one of thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 bcan be coupled. For example, in some embodiments, suspension arms 144 a,144 b can be coupled to flanges 138 of joint 136 at one end and to thefront beam 117 at the other end, and suspension arms 746 a, 746 b can becoupled to flanges 138 of the joint 136 and to the front beam 117 at theother end. In certain embodiments, the ends of suspension arms 144 a,144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b that are coupled toflanges 138 are pivotally coupled at or near the respective ends of eachflange 138, which may provide for a stable connection between the frontbeam 117 and the joints 136. However, it is to be understood that therespective ends of suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a,744 b, 746 a, 746 b may be more narrowly spaced on flange 138 than thedistances shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 4-5.

In some embodiments, each joint 136 can take a number of differentforms, and in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, and the embodiment of FIGS.4-5, can be a cylindrical member within which the post 128 is received.Each post 128 can be secured within corresponding joint 136 by a nut orother threaded fastener screwed upon a threaded end of the post 128. Ifdesired, additional hardware can help secure this connection. Forexample, in some embodiments, one or more cotter pins can be clipped tothe nut and/or post 128, can be received within an aperture or recesswithin the nut and/or post 128, or can be coupled to the post 128 in anyother conventional manner to prevent disconnection of the nut from thepost 128. As another example, one or more washers can be provided asneeded to distribute force and secure the connection of the posts 128 tothe joints 136.

As an alternative to the use of a cylindrical joint 136 as describedabove in order to connect the post 128 of each front independentsuspension assembly 116, 716 to the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a,146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, the joint 136 can be a socket withinwhich an end of the post 128 is received, and can be defined by anaperture in any of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and the like. Any conventional joint structurecan be employed to establish this connection of the post 128 and wheelassembly 122, each of which falls within the spirit and scope of someembodiments of the disclosure.

An advantage of a cylindrical joint 136 as described above is theability to receive bearings therein and to house and protect thebearings. In this regard, other elements and structure can be used toenable the wheel assemblies 122 to pivot properly. For example,depending upon the type of joint 136 employed, ball bearings, rollerbearings, sleeves or linings made of low-friction material, and otherelements can be used as desired (with or without lubricating material).In the illustrated embodiment, two sets of roller bearings can bereceived within the joint 136, and can be seated within lips, ledges, orother structure of the joint 136. However, any other manner of retainingthese and other types of bearings can be used, depending at leastpartially upon the type of joint 136 employed to connect the wheelassemblies 122 with respect to the rest of the front independentsuspension assemblies 116, 716.

In some embodiments, a threaded connection can be employed to secure thepost 128 with respect to the rest of the front independent suspensionassemblies 116, 716; however a number of other type of connections canbe used. By way of example only, the post 128 can be snap-fit,press-fit, or screwed into the joint 136 (or within a collar, lug,socket, or other fitting within the joint 136), and can be assembled onopposite ends or sides of the joint 136 using any conventionalfasteners, and the like. In some embodiments, it may be desirable toprotect the joint 136 and its components from dirt, debris, and otherforeign materials and to retain any lubricant material therein. To thisend, the joint 136 can be capped, received within a boot, grommet,housing, or shroud, and the like.

In some embodiments, suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a,744 b, 746 a, 746 b can be coupled to the front plate 150 at a commonlocation on the front of the front frame 114 (generally at or near thecentral region of the front beam 117). In some embodiments, any of thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 bcan be coupled to the front frame 114 using a conventional bolt or otherfastener, by another common connection such as, e.g., a spherical balljoint, or otherwise. Alternatively, in other embodiments, any of thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 bcan be coupled to the front of the front frame 114 at differentlocations along the front of the front frame 114 (i.e., near or adjacentto the locations shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 4-5).

In some embodiments, the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b and/or the suspension side arms 148 can beelongated tubular elements. However, in other embodiments, thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 band/or the suspension side arms 148 can be bars, beams (e.g., cast ironI-shaped beams), etc. In some further embodiments, the suspension arms144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b and/or thesuspension side arms 148 can include solid sections. In someembodiments, the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744b, 746 a, 746 b and/or the suspension side arms 148 can include squareor rectangular cross-sections. In some further embodiments, thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 band/or the suspension side arms 148 can include circular or ellipticalcross-sections.

In some embodiments, the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b and suspensionside arms 148 can couple to the joint 136 with an acute angletherebetween. In other embodiments, the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b andsuspension side arms 148 can couple to the joint 136 with an obtuseangle therebetween. In some further embodiments, the suspension arms 144a, 144 b and suspension side arms 148 can couple to the joint 136forming an angle of about 90° therebetween. In some further embodiments,the suspension arms 146 a, 146 b and suspension side arms 148 can coupleto the joint 136 with an acute angle therebetween. In other embodiments,the suspension arms 146 a, 146 b and suspension side arms 148 can coupleto the joint 136 with an obtuse angle therebetween. In some furtherembodiments, the suspension arms 146 a, 146 b and suspension side arms148 can couple to the joint 136 forming an angle of about 90°therebetween. In some embodiments, the suspension arms 744 a, 744 b andsuspension side arms 148 can couple to the joint 136 with an acute angletherebetween. In other embodiments, the suspension arms 744 a, 744 b andsuspension side arms 148 can couple to the joint 136 with an obtuseangle therebetween. In some further embodiments, the suspension arms 744a, 744 b and suspension side arms 148 can couple to the joint 136forming an angle of about 90° therebetween. In some embodiments, thesuspension arms 746 a, 746 b and suspension side arms 148 can couple tothe joint 136 with an acute angle therebetween. In other embodiments,the suspension arms 746 a, 746 b and suspension side arms 148 can coupleto the joint 136 with an obtuse angle therebetween. In some furtherembodiments, the suspension arms 746 a, 746 b and suspension side arms148 can couple to the joint 136 forming an angle of about 90°therebetween.

The suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746b can have any relative length. For example, suspension arms 144 a, 144b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b can be any length between,e.g., 10 inches and 25 inches, dependent upon the size and model of themower (and the size/width of front frame 114). Additionally, suspensionside arms 148 can also be any relative length such as between, e.g., 20inches and 30 inches long. However, it is to be understood that theabove lengths are only examples, and suspensions arms 144 a, 144 b, 146a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b and/or suspension side arms 148 canbe longer or shorter than that which is described. Furthermore, eachspaced-apart suspension arm may have a different length than itsneighboring suspension arm. For example, suspension arm 144 a may belonger or shorter than suspension arm 144 b, suspension arm 146 a may belonger or shorter than suspension arm 146 b, etc.

As shown, the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 4-5 cancomprise different lengths of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a,146 b, as compared to the suspension arms 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b. Inthe illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 for example, the suspension arms144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b are shorter than the suspension side arm 148,and are shorter than the suspension arms 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b.Further, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 for example, thesuspension arms 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b are shorter than the sidesuspension arm 148. As 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b are shown as beingshorter than suspension arms 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, the inwardlateral movement of each wheel assembly 122 as it moves through thesuspension travel is greater. That is, as each wheel assembly 122 movesup or down relative to changes in terrain, the shorter suspension arms144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b provide a shorter radius for angular travelfor each wheel assembly 122 as compared to the longer suspension arms744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b. With such a short radius, the inward lateralmovement of each wheel assembly 122 throughout suspension travel isincreased. Thus, in some embodiments, it may be beneficial to providesuspension arms having longer lengths (such as, e.g., suspension arms744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b) so as to minimize inward lateral movement ofeach wheel assembly 122 during operation of the mower over variedterrain.

In some embodiments, any of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or suspension side arm 148 can bewelded to the joint 136. In other embodiments, the suspension arms 144a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or sidesuspension arm 148 can be coupled to the joint 136 in any other manner,including without limitation by brazing, by one or more conventionalfasteners such as screws, bolts, rivets, clamps, clips, and the like, bypin and aperture, finger and slot, hook and aperture, and other types ofconnections, by threaded, press-fit, or snap-fit connections, byinter-engaging elements, and the like. As an alternative to directconnection to the joint 136, any of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b,146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or suspension side arm 148can be indirectly coupled to the joint 136, such as by connection to abrace, strut, plate, reinforcement or other element coupled to the joint136, by connection of the first suspension arm 146 directly to the joint136 and by connection of the second suspension side arm 148 to the firstsuspension arm 146 (or vice versa), and the like.

In some further embodiments, suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b,744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or suspension side arm 148 can besupplemented by additional suspension arms (e.g., such as an upper andlower second side suspension arms. Each of the suspension arms 144 a,146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or suspension side arm148, and any additional suspension arms can be coupled directly to thefront frame 114 in a number of different manners. In some embodiments,the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746b, and/or suspension side arm 148, and any additional suspension armscan be pivotally coupled to the front frame 114 to enable upward anddownward movement of the front independent suspension assemblies 116,716. Any type of pivotable connection can be employed, such as, e.g., aspherical ball joint, a ball and socket connection, a pivot and apertureconnection, a hinge connection, and the like. One having ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that still other manners of pivotalconnection are possible.

Although direct connection to the front frame 114 is possible, any ofthe suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746b, and/or suspension side arm 148, and any additional suspension arms,can be coupled to plates, bars, rods, or other elements shaped toprovide an improved interface between the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b,146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or suspension side arm148, and any additional suspension arms, and the front frame 114. Morespecifically, the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or suspension side arm 148, and any additionalsuspension arms can be oriented at an angle with respect to that part ofthe front frame 114 to which they connect, thereby making such aconnection more difficult. Therefore, the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b,146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or suspension side arm148, and any additional suspension arms of some embodiments describedherein can be coupled to elements shaped to better establish an angledconnection to the front frame 114. For example, as described earlier, insome embodiments, any of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b,744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b can be coupled to a suspension front plate150 on the front of the front frame 114, while the suspension side arm148 can be coupled to a suspension side plate of the side of the frontframe 114. These suspension front and side plates can be welded to thefront frame 114, or can be coupled thereto by fasteners or in any of themanners described above with reference to the connection between thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b,and the joint 136. In some embodiments, the suspension front and sideplates can even be integral with the front frame 114, such as by beingstamped, molded, pressed, cast, or otherwise defined by a part of thefront frame 114.

Each suspension arm 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746b can be pivotally coupled to the front of the front frame 114 (and insome cases, to a common suspension front plate 150 or to respectivesuspension front plates) by a front pivot assembly. In some embodimentsfor example, the front pivot assembly can comprise ball joints attachedthe suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746b by a threaded fastener such as a nut threaded onto a threadedextension of the ball joint, a pair of joint seals, and a bolt passedthrough apertures in the ball joint and joint seals. If desired, aspacer can be located between the ball joint and the front plate toprovide clearance between the ball joint and the front plate. The balljoint can instead be coupled to the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a,146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b by being threaded into a threadedaperture therein, by one or more conventional fasteners, or in any ofthe manners described above with reference to the connection between thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b,and suspension side arm 148 and the joint 136. Although not required,the joint seals can be employed for purposes of keeping the ball jointfree of dirt, debris, and foreign matter. In some embodiments, a boltcan be employed for pivotable connection to the ball joint as describedabove. However, the bolt can be replaced by any other element receivedwithin the ball joint, including without limitation a pin or rod, aheaded post, extension, or any other element extending into the balljoint from the front plate 150 or front frame 114. In other embodiments,a ball joint socket can be attached to the front plate 150 or frontframe 114 and can pivotally receive a pin, rod, headed post, extension,or other element attached to the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a,146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b. The bolt of the front pivot assemblycan extend into an aperture in the suspension front plate 150 and can besecured therein by a nut or other conventional fastener.

As discussed above, the suspension front plate 150 can be shaped toconnect the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b,746 a, 746 b at an angle with respect to the front of the front frame114. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a numberof different front plate shapes can be employed to establish this angledconnection. By way of example only, the suspension front plate 150 canhave a wing, flange, arm, tab, or other portions or regions that providea mounting location disposed at an angle with respect to the front ofthe front frame 114. In embodiments in which both front independentsuspension systems are coupled to a common suspension front plate 150(e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1-5), the suspension front plate 150 caninclude a plurality of portions or regions providing a plurality ofmounting locations disposed at specific angles and with respect to thefront of the front frame 114. For different suspension and handlingcharacteristics of the ride-on mower 100, the suspension arms 144 a, 144b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b in some embodiments can becoupled to the suspension front plate 150 in various provided locations,and differences in position can provide different handlingcharacteristics of the ride-on mowers 100, 700.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the suspension side arm 148can be mounted to the front frame 114 by a side pivot assembly 170. Thesuspension side arm 148 can be coupled to the front frame 114 via a sideplate. In some embodiments, the suspension side arm 148 can be coupledto a wing, flange, extension, tab, or other portion of the suspensionside plate disposed at an angle with respect to the side of the frontframe 114 for the same reasons discussed above. In some embodiments, abolt can be received within a ball joint, joint seals, a spacer, and anaperture in the suspension side plate, and can be retained therein by anut. The alternative assemblies and elements described above withreference to the connection between the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b,146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b and the suspension front plate150 (or directly to the front frame 114 in other embodiments) applyequally to the connection between the suspension side arm 148 and thesuspension side plate or front frame 114.

The front and side pivot assemblies can allow the suspension arms 144 a,144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or the suspensionside arm 148 to move in a substantially upward and downward verticaldirection relative to the front frame 114. Depending at least partiallyon any of the lengths of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b,744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or the suspension side arm 148 and thelocation of their direct or indirect connection to the front frame 114,other movement such as curved or horizontal movement can be possible.

Referring still to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, in some embodiments of thedisclosure, the cutter deck 108 may be at least partially coupled to thefront independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 so as to allow at leasta portion of the cutter deck 108 to substantially follow the upward anddownward travel of the front wheel assemblies 122 as they move overvaried terrain. For example, each suspension side arm 148 may include amounting block 162, which may be attached or affixed to a surface of thesuspension side arms 148 through any appropriate means such as, e.g.,welding, fasteners, brazing, etc. Pivotally coupled to each mountingblock 162 is a bell crank 160, with bell crank 160 being coupled at afirst end to a deck height control arm 168 and at a second end to a decklinkage 164. The deck linkage 164 is also coupled to an attachment plate166 extending from a top surface of the cutter deck 108 near the frontof cutter deck 108. While FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 only show a single mountingblock 162, a single bell crank 160, etc., it is to be understood thateach respective side of the cutter deck 108 and each front independentsuspension assembly 116, 716 may comprise the same or similarcomponents.

As the mower 100, 700 moves over varied terrain, the respective frontindependent suspension assemblies 116, 716 may allow the front wheelassemblies 122 to independently move upward and/or downward in responseto the terrain. Correspondingly, as suspension side arms 148 move upwardand/or downward with the vertical motion of front wheel assemblies 122,the mounting blocks 162 and bell cranks 160 also move upward and/ordownward. Such upward and/or downward movement also causes the decklinkage(s) 164 to raise or lower at least the front portion of cutterdeck 108, thereby allowing at least a portion of the cutter deck 108proximate to the front wheel assemblies 122 to move upward and/ordownward in reaction to corresponding movement of the front wheelassemblies 122. In this way, cutter deck 108 may be able to maintain aneven cut over varied or undulating terrain, and undesirable occurrencessuch as scalping of the ground surface may be avoided.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, it is desirable to strengthen thefront independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 and/or to provideadditional structure to which other elements, structure, and devices ofthe front independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 can be coupled.Such additional structure can include one or more plates, rods, bars,tabs, wings, extensions, bosses, platforms, struts, and other frameworkcoupled to the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b,746 a, 746 b, and/or the suspension side arm 148, and/or the joint 136.These elements and structure can be coupled to the suspension arms 144a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b, and/or thesuspension side arm 148 and joint 136 in any conventional manner,including those manners described above with reference to the connectionbetween the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b,746 a, 746 b, and/or the suspension side arm 148 and/or the joint 136.In some embodiments for example, a support plate can be positionedbetween any of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a,744 b, 746 a, 746 b and the suspension side arms 148.

Some embodiments of the disclosure include one or more shock-absorbingcomponents that can be coupled between portions of the chassis 112 andone or more wheels to control shock and vibration. For example,referring to FIG. 6, illustrating a perspective view of a portion of asuspension assembly with 4-bar linkage in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure, some embodiments of each frontindependent suspension assembly 116 can be connected to a shock absorberassembly, with each shock absorber assembly including a shock absorber302 and/or a suspension spring 188. FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of asuspension assembly of the mower 700 embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-5, butincludes the structure of the mower 100 embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 with adifferent 4-bar linkage (i.e., the suspension arms 744 a, 744 b coupledto joint 136 and suspension arms 746 a, 746 b coupled to a joint 136 canbe replaced in FIG. 6 with suspension arms 144 a, 144 b coupled to joint136 and suspension arms 146 a, 146 b coupled to a joint 136 between eachof the embodiments of the mowers 100, 700).

In some embodiments, the shock absorber 302 and the suspension spring188 can be pivotally coupled between the front frame 114 and the frontindependent suspension assemblies 116, 716 to absorb shock transmittedfrom the wheel assemblies 122 and to bias the front independentsuspension assembly 116, 716 in a downward direction. As the frontindependent suspension assemblies 116, 716 of the ride-on mower 100travel in generally upward and downward vertical directions due to thewheel assemblies 122 traversing uneven terrain, the shock absorbers 302(if used) can dampen the shock delivered to the mower front frame 114,chassis 112, and operator. In some embodiments, this can create a morecomfortable ride for the operator, thereby allowing the operator to runthe mowers 100, 700 at increased speeds to achieve improved mowingand/or travel efficiency.

In some embodiments, the shock absorber 302 can be a conventionalhydraulic shock absorber. However, in some embodiments, the shockabsorber 302 can take a number of other forms, including, withoutlimitation, an air shock, an airbag, a coil, torsion, or other spring, arubber pillow block, and the like. Although the shock absorber 302 canbe coupled in any conventional manner to the front frame 114 and to anypart of the front independent suspension assemblies 116, 716, the shockabsorber 302 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 can be coupledat one end to the support plate 179 that extends from the suspensionside arm 148, and can be coupled at the other end to the front frame 114(or a fixture on or extending from the front frame 114). In this regard,in some embodiments, the shock absorber 302 can be welded or brazed tothe support plate 179 and front frame 114, or can be coupled theretowith bolts, screws, rivets, pins, clips, clamps, or other conventionalfasteners, or can be coupled thereto in any other manner desired. Insome embodiments, the shock absorber 302 can be received through anaperture in the support plate 179 for connection to a bottom orunderside portion thereof. In some embodiments, the shock absorber 302can include a top mount and a bottom mount, where each mount includes anaperture, respectively, to receive fasteners therethrough. In someembodiments, the fasteners (which can be bolts or can be any otherconventional fastener) can be received through one or more apertures inthe support plate and a bracket extending from the front frame 114 andthrough the apertures in the top and bottom mounts of the shock absorber302. In some embodiments such as that shown in the figures, the supportplate 179 can be shaped to define a bracket for connection to the bottommount of the shock absorber 302. Further, in some embodiments, nuts orother fasteners can be employed to secure the fasteners once installed.Additional hardware such as spacers and washers can be employed asneeded to couple the shock absorber 302 to the front frame 114 and tothe rest of the front independent suspension assemblies 116, 716.

In some embodiments, the suspension spring 188 in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6 can comprise a coil spring that can be retained in positionusing various conventional coupling methods in order to bias the rest ofthe suspension assemblies 116, 716 in a downward direction. In someembodiments for example, the suspension spring 188 can be received upona spring retainer on the support plate 179 and upon a spring retainercoupled to the front frame 114. In some embodiments, the springretainers can be clips, clamps, or other elements employed to hold thespring 188 in place. In some embodiments, the spring retainers can beinserts that are received within the ends of each spring 188 and arecoupled to the support plate and the front frame 114 in any conventionalmanner. In other embodiments, the spring retainers can be sockets withinwhich the ends of the springs 188 can be received, or recesses in thesupport plate 179 and front frame 114 (or structure attached thereto),clamps, brazing, or welds holding either or both ends of the spring 188in place, and any other conventional holding component for the springs188. In some other embodiments of the disclosure, as an alternative toconnection of a spring retainers directly to the support plate 179 andfront frame 114, either or both of these retainers can be coupled to anadjusting element or device for changing the amount of compression ofthe spring 188. For example, the upper end of the springs 188 in theillustrated embodiments can each seat against an adjusting platereceived within a spring seat defined by the front frame 114 or coupledto the front frame 114 in any conventional manner. The spring seat canbe provided with an aperture within which is received an adjustmentscrew or other threaded fastener. The screw can be received through thespring seat aperture and into an aperture in the adjusting plate so thatturning the screw causes the adjusting plate to compress or reduce thecompression upon the spring 188. If desired, one or more guides canextend from the adjusting plate to be received within extensions of thespring seat aperture or dedicated apertures in order to prevent theadjusting plate from turning with the screw. Once the screw has beenturned to move the adjusting plate to a desired position, a nut can betightened on the screw to hold the screw and adjusting plate in place.Although the spring seat, adjusting plate, adjustment screw, and nut aredescribed above as being associated with an upper end of the spring 188,this type of adjustment mechanism can also or instead be provided on thebottom end of the spring 188. In addition, it should be noted that anumber of other spring adjustment mechanisms exist and can be used toadjust compression of the springs 188 in some embodiments of thedisclosure. Each of these alternative spring adjustment mechanisms fallswithin the spirit and scope of some embodiments of the disclosure.

The front independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 can also absorb asignificant amount of vertical movement caused by the uneven terrain,thereby preventing much of the vertical movement of the front frame 114and chassis 112. As a result, vertical movement of the cutter deck 108can be reduced to improve the cutting performance of the ride-on mower100. In addition, when one of the front wheel assemblies 122 runs over alarge rock, bump, dip, hole, or otherwise experiences a change inelevation causing the wheel assembly 122 to move vertically upward ordownward, the improved front independent suspension assemblies 116, 716of some embodiments of the disclosure dampen the effect on the otherwheels.

In some embodiments, each front independent suspension assembly 116, 716may be configured to independently pivot at an angle of up to ±45°relative to chassis 112 and/or frame 114, thereby enabling upward and/ordownward displacement of each respective wheel assembly 122corresponding to the pivot angle. In other embodiments, the pivot anglerange relative to chassis 112 may be narrower (e.g., ±2°, ±5°, ±15°,±30°, etc.) and may rely on a variety of factors such as, e.g., lengthof the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a,746 b and the suspension side arms 148, allotted travel of shockabsorber 302 and the suspension spring 188, etc. In this way, eachrespective wheel assembly 122 is capable of upward and/or downwarddisplacement during travel, with the maximum displacement limited byfactors such as the length of the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a,146 b, 744 a, 744 b, 746 a, 746 b and the suspension side arms 148, aswell as the allotted travel of shock absorber 302 and the suspensionspring 188. In one embodiment, the shock absorber 302 and/or suspensionspring 188 may be configured 3 inches of travel, which, in turn, allowsfor at least ±3 inches of vertical displacement of each wheel assembly122. However, it is to be understood that this example is not limiting,and lesser or greater vertical displacement is possible in accordancewith other embodiments.

Unlike prior suspension designs, which change the angular cant of thewheels through the travel of the suspension, in some embodiments, thefront independent suspension assemblies 116, 716 can limit or eliminatechanges in wheel cant throughout the travel of the suspension. That is,the 4-bar linkage configuration of front independent suspensionassemblies 116, 716 operates to maintain each front wheel assembly 122(and joint 136) in a substantially vertical orientation relative to theground surface, regardless of the position of travel. As a result,wobble of the front wheel assemblies 122 similar to that encounteredwith shopping cart wheels, which previously occurred due to changes inangular cant of the front wheel assemblies 122 throughout suspensiontravel, can be limited or completely eliminated. Thus, the wheelsmaintain better contact with the ground surface, giving the ride-onmower 100 better traction. Furthermore, the substantially verticalorientation of each front wheel assembly 122, regardless of position oftravel, also helps to prevent uneven tire wear, which was previouslycaused by the above-referenced changes in angular cant of the frontwheel assemblies due to suspension travel.

For example, referring to FIGS. 7A-7D, various partial views of frontindependent suspension assembly 116 in accordance with an aspect of thedisclosure are shown. For clarity, numerous components of the mower towhich front independent suspension assembly 116 is coupled have beenomitted from FIGS. 7A-7D, including, e.g., front wheel assemblies 122.FIG. 7A illustrates front independent suspension assembly 116 in anunloaded state, wherein each suspension spring 188 is in an unloaded,extended position. In this state, respective suspension arms 144 a, 144b, 146 a, 146 c are biased at an angle α relative to horizontal suchthat each joint 136 upon which the front wheel assemblies (not shown)are mounted are biased in a slightly downward direction relative to thefront beam 117. The angle α may vary based on, e.g., length of thesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, allotted travel of the shockabsorber and the suspension spring 188, etc. For example, in oneembodiment, angle α may be 2° relative to horizontal.

However, even with angular displacement of respective suspension arms144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 c relative to the front beam 117, the 4-barlinkage arrangement of front independent suspension assembly 116 enableseach joint 136 (and, thus, each coupled wheel assembly) to be maintainedin a substantially vertical orientation relative to the ground surface.That is, each joint 136 remains substantially in-line with a respectivevertical axis Y1, Y2, as shown in FIG. 7A, even when respectivesuspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 c are biased at an angle α. Ifeach joint 136 were only coupled to a single suspension arm (i.e., anon-4-bar linkage arrangement), such continuous vertical alignment ofjoints 136 with respective vertical axes Y1, Y2 would not be achieved,thereby leading to angular cant of the wheels which, as described above,may lead to reduced ground contact, uneven tire wear, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, front independent suspension assembly 116 isillustrated in a fully-loaded state, wherein each suspension spring 188is in a compressed position. In this state, respective suspension arms144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 c are biased at an angle β relative tohorizontal such that each joint 136 upon which the front wheelassemblies (not shown) are mounted are supported in a slightly upwarddirection relative to the front beam 117. Similar to angle α disclosedabove, the angle β may vary based on, e.g., length of the suspensionarms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b, allotted travel of the shock absorberand the suspension spring 188, etc. For example, in one embodiment,angle β may be 2° relative to horizontal, equating to approximately 2½″of travel allotted by the shock absorber and the suspension spring 188.However, it is to be understood that angle α and angle β need not beequal, and may vary based on, e.g., length of the suspension arms 144 a,144 b, 146 a, 146 b, allotted travel of the shock absorber and thesuspension spring 188, etc.

Once again, even with angular displacement of respective suspension arms144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 c relative to the front beam 117 by angle β,the 4-bar linkage arrangement of front independent suspension assembly116 enables each joint 136 (and, thus, each coupled wheel assembly) tobe maintained in a substantially vertical orientation relative to theground surface. That is, each joint 136 remains in-line with arespective vertical axis Y1, Y2, as shown in FIG. 7B, even whenrespective suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 c are biased at anangle β under fully-loaded conditions.

As front independent suspension assembly 116 allows for independentmovement of suspension arms 144 a, 144 b (and their coupled wheelassembly) relative to suspension arms 146 a, 146 b, and vice versa, itis to be understood that each respective front wheel assembly is capableof independent vertical movement based on varying terrain, obstacles,loading, etc. For example, as shown in FIG. 7C, suspension arms 144 a,144 b may remain biased at angle α (i.e., in an unloaded state), whilesuspension arms 146 a, 146 b are forced to an angle β. Conversely,referring to FIG. 7D, suspension arms 144 a, 144 b may be forced to anangle β, while suspension arms 146 a, 146 b may remain at an angle αrelative to horizontal. In either configuration, each joint 136 remainsin-line with a respective vertical axis Y1, Y2, thereby preventing anangular cant of the wheels so as to maintain good ground contact,provide for relatively even tire wear, etc. Furthermore, while angle α(unloaded) and angle β (fully-loaded) are described herein, it is to beunderstood that suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b may bedisplaced at any angle between angle α and angle β during operation.

Additionally, referring still to FIGS. 7A-7D, front independentsuspension assembly 116 is shown with a front plate 181 positioned tothe front of at least a portion of suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a,146 b at a location in which suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 bare pivotally coupled to front beam 117. In this way, front plate 181 isconfigured to provide protection to at least some portions of suspensionarms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b and/or their mounting locations, whichmay prevent suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146 a, 146 b from becomingbent or otherwise damaged due to a frontal impact. However, it is to beunderstood that front plate 181 may be configured as being removable,thereby providing user access to the suspension arms 144 a, 144 b, 146a, 146 b and/or their mounting locations for adjustment, replacement, orrepair. Furthermore, front plate 181 may be removed altogether,dependent upon user and/or manufacturer preferences.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, a schematic top view of a cutter deck andfront independent suspension arrangement 800 in accordance with anotheraspect of the disclosure is illustrated. It is to be understood that thecomponents of cutter deck and front independent suspension arrangement800 (and their specific positions) are not to drawn to scale. While notshown, it is to be understood that cutter deck and front independentsuspension arrangement 800 may be utilized with a mower such as mower100 and/or mower 700 described above. FIG. 8 illustrates two separatecutter decks—first cutter deck 802 (shown in solid lines) and secondcutter deck 806 (shown partially in phantom). First cutter deck 802 maybe a 3-blade, suspended deck having a first width (e.g., 52 inches),while second cutter deck 806 may be a 3-blade, suspended deck having asecond, larger width (e.g., 60 inches). As each of decks 802, 806 isconfigured to be suspended from a mower frame (not shown), decks 802,806 may be interchangeable dependent upon manufacturer and/or userpreferences, footprint limitations, etc.

Decks 802, 806 include three separate rotary mower blades—a first blade803, a second blade 804, and a third blade 805, with third blade 805being positioned farthest from a side discharge opening of cutter decks802, 806. As is shown, the position of third blade 805 differs dependentupon the size of the cutter deck, with the blade 805 (shown in solid)positioned nearer a centerline of the first cutter deck 802 than blade805 (shown in phantom) of the second cutter deck 806. While not shown,it is to be understood that the positioning of first blade 803 and thesecond blade 804 may also differ dependent upon deck size. Furthermore,the length of each blade 803, 804, 805 may also vary dependent upon decksize.

Referring still to FIG. 8, cutter deck and front independent suspensionarrangement 800 also includes a front beam 808 upon which a pair offront wheel assemblies 810, 811 are pivotally mounted. Specifically,first front wheel assembly 810 is pivotally coupled about a firstmounting location 816 via a first suspension arm pair 815, while secondfront wheel assembly 811 is pivotally coupled about a second mountinglocation 813 via a second suspension arm pair 812. In some embodiments,both first front wheel assembly 810 and second front wheel assembly 811are configured to include caster wheels capable of 360° of rotationabout a respective joint. While not illustrated in the top-down view ofFIG. 8, it is to be understood that first suspension arm pair 815 andsecond suspension arm pair 812 each may include two separate suspensionarms arranged in a 4-bar-linkage-type configuration, with eachsuspension arm pair being operably coupled to a suspension device (e.g.,a shock, spring, elastomer, etc.) similar to that which is shown anddescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1-6. Accordingly, first suspensionarm pair 815 and second suspension arm pair 812 provide for anindependent suspension arrangement for the respective first front wheelassembly 810 and second front wheel assembly 811.

As noted above, first front wheel assembly 810 is pivotally coupledabout a first mounting location 816 of front beam 808 via a firstsuspension arm pair 815, while second front wheel assembly 811 ispivotally coupled about a second mounting location 813 of front beam 808via a second suspension arm pair 812. The respective first and secondmounting locations 816, 813 may include any suitable form of pivotableconnection such as, e.g., a spherical ball joint, a pivot and apertureconnection, a hinge connection, etc. Accordingly, each suspension armpair 815, 812 is capable of at least two-dimensional, vertical movementrelative to front beam 808, with the angle of movement possible beingdependent, at least in part, upon a coupled suspension device such asshock absorbers 302 and/or suspension springs 188 described above.

Based on the length of first suspension arm pair 815 and secondsuspension arm pair 812 and/or their respective mounting locations uponfront beam 808, first front wheel assembly 810 and second front wheelassembly 811 are positioned ahead of the cutter decks 802, 803 withrespect to one another at a particular width. In accordance with anembodiment of the disclosure, the positions at which first front wheelassembly 810 and second front wheel assembly 811 are mounted is chosenspecifically based on the centerline positions of first blade 803 andthird blade 805. That is, when cutter deck 802 is being utilized, firstfront wheel assembly 810 is positioned slightly offset from a transverseaxis Z1 of first blade 803. Similarly, second front wheel assembly 811is positioned slightly offset from a transverse axis Z2 of third blade805. Due to these slightly offset positions of first front wheelassembly 810 and second front wheel assembly 811, grass or othervegetation that may be compacted by the tires of each wheel assemblyduring travel may be subsequently lifted (via suction) and cut by therespective blades 803, 805 as the cutter deck 802 passes over the samegrass or vegetation. It is known that the suction/lift effects providedby rotating blades 803, 805 is least at the point directly in line withthe axis of rotation of blades 803, 805. Thus, if first front wheelassembly 810 and second front wheel assembly 811 were to be positioneddirectly in-line with respective transverse axes Z1, Z2 of blades 803,805, the suction/lift of grass compacted by the tires of first frontwheel assembly 810 and second front wheel assembly 811 may beinsufficient, thereby leading to an uneven cut and/or “stripes” oftaller grass or vegetation at locations where first front wheel assembly810 and second front wheel assembly 811 travel across the terrain to bemowed. Similarly, if the first front wheel assembly 810 and second frontwheel assembly 811 were to be positioned far from the respectivetransverse axes Z1, Z2 (i.e., offset to a position in-line with an endportion of the respective blades), the suction/lift of grass compactedby the tires at these positions may also be insufficient.

In order to position first front wheel assembly 810 and second frontwheel assembly 811 in a desired offset position relative to respectiveblades 803, 805, the mounting locations on front beam 808 and/or thelength of first suspension arm pair 815 and second suspension arm pair812 must be considered. Front beam 808 may be configured so as toinclude numerous possible mounting locations thereon, with the firstsuspension arm pair 815 and second suspension arm pair 812 capable ofbeing pivotally mounted at any such location based on, e.g., cutter decksize. For example, when cutter deck 802 is utilized, respective mountinglocations 816, 813 may be chosen for mounting the first pivoting ends offirst suspension arm pair 815 and second suspension arm pair 812. Withthese mounting locations and the given lengths of first suspension armpair 815 and second suspension arm pair 812, the first front wheelassembly 810 and second front wheel assembly 811 are positioned in adesired offset position relative to the transverse axes Z1, Z2 ofrespective blades 803, 805.

However, as noted above, a wider cutter deck (e.g., cutter deck 806) maybe utilized in some mower configurations. In such configurations, whereat least the third blade 805 (shown in phantom) of cutter deck 806changes lateral location relative to the third blade 805 (shown in solidlines) of cutter deck 802, the placement of at least the second frontwheel assembly 811 would not be slightly offset from a transverse axisZ3 of third blade 805 if second suspension arm pair 802 is stillpivotally coupled to front plate 808 at mounting location 813, therebypotentially leading to an uneven cut and/or “stripes” of taller grass orvegetation where second front wheel assembly 811 has travelled.Accordingly, the mounting location of second suspension arm pair 812 canbe changed so as to provide a suitable offset with the transverse axisZ3 of third blade 805 of cutter deck 806. Specifically, as shown in FIG.8, a mounting locations 814 on front plate 808 may be chosen, whichallows for second suspension arm pair 812 to be pivotally mounted suchthat second front wheel assembly 811 is only slightly offset fromtransverse axis Z3 at a desired position. In this way, only the mountinglocation(s) on the front plate 808 of the suspension arm pair(s) need beadjusted to account for changes in cutter deck width, allowing thechanges to be made without significant alterations to the design of thefront independent suspension configuration.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the lengths of one or both of firstsuspension arm pair 815 and second suspension arm pair 812 may beextended or shortened so as to account for different cutter deck widths.That is, instead of (or in addition to) altering mounting locations uponfront plate 808, the lengths of one or both of first suspension arm pair815 and second suspension arm pair 812 may be extended or shortened soas to properly align the respective first front wheel assembly 810 andsecond front wheel assembly 811 with the transverse axes of first blade803 and third blade 805, respectively.

While FIG. 8 illustrates that cutter decks 802, 805 are 3-blade decks,it is to be understood that more or fewer mower blades may be utilized.Furthermore, while first suspension arm pair 815 and second suspensionarm pair 812 are described above as being configured in a4-bar-linkage-arrangement, it is to be understood that other linkagearrangements coupling front plate 808 to the respective wheel assembliesare possible, including, e.g., single-bar linkages.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, a mower 900 in accordance with another aspectof the disclosure is shown. Numerous components of cutter deck 900 arethe same or similar as those shown and described above with respect tomower 100. Accordingly, to avoid repetitive disclosure and for thepurpose of clarity, like reference numerals of like components betweenmower 100 and mower 900 are utilized in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, mower 900 includes the first suspension arm pair 144and the second suspension arm pair 146 configured in a4-bar-linkage-type arrangement such that respective wheel assemblies 122(and joints 136) travel in continuous vertical alignment, regardless ofthe angular position of the suspension arm pairs 144, 146. However,while mower 100 discloses a pair of longitudinally-extending suspensionside arms 148 pivotally coupled to opposite sides of the front frame 114by respective side pivot assemblies 170, mower 900 includes a pair oflongitudinally-extending second side suspension arms 149 positionedsubstantially parallel to side suspension arms 148 so as to provide a4-bar-linkage-type arrangement between not only the first and secondsuspension arm pairs, but also the respective side suspension arms. Morespecifically, second side suspension arms 149 are pivotally coupled at afirst end to a portion of the front frame 144 about a second side pivotassembly 171, and are each pivotally coupled at or near a respectivejoint 136 of a wheel assembly 122 at a second end. In this way,substantially parallel side suspension arms 148, 149 provide forincreased support of the respective wheel assemblies 122 in thelongitudinal direction, while still providing the advantages of verticalalignment of the wheel assemblies 122 during suspended movement via the4-bar-linkage-type arrangement. The positioning of the respective sidepivot assemblies 170, 171 on the front frame 114 may vary dependentupon, e.g., available space, structural support, desired length of theside suspension arms, etc.

While the front-wheel suspension assemblies described above arepresented in the context of use with mowers and, specifically, ride-onzero turn radius lawnmowers. It is to be understood that the4-bar-linkage-type arrangements described herein may be utilized withother forms of outdoor power equipment, including other ride-on,stand-on, or walk-behind forms of outdoor power equipment. For example,the various embodiments disclosed herein may be utilized with stand-onmowers, walk-behind mowers, stand-on, walk-behind, or ride-on blowers,stand-on, walk-behind, or ride-on spreaders, stand-on, walk-behind, orride-on sprayers, stand-on, walk-behind, or ride-on aerators, etc.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiment, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

1. An outdoor power equipment unit comprising: a frame, the framecomprising a front side and a pair of opposite, longitudinally-extendingsides, wherein the front side comprises a front structural member andthe pair of opposite, longitudinally extending sides comprise at leastone first side structural member and at least one second side structuralmember; a first front wheel assembly; a second front wheel assembly; afirst laterally-extending suspension arm pair, wherein the firstlaterally-extending suspension arm pair comprises a first suspension armpivotally coupled at a first end to the front structural member andpivotally coupled at a second end to the first front wheel assembly, anda second suspension arm arranged substantially parallel to the firstsuspension arm and pivotally coupled at a first end to the frontstructural member and pivotally coupled at a second end to the firstfront wheel assembly; a second laterally-extending suspension arm pair,wherein the second laterally-extending suspension arm pair comprises athird suspension arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the frontstructural member and pivotally coupled at a second end to the secondfront wheel assembly, and a fourth suspension arm arranged substantiallyparallel to the third suspension arm and pivotally coupled at a firstend to the front structural member and pivotally coupled at a second endto the second front wheel assembly; at least onelongitudinally-extending first side suspension arm, the at least onelongitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled at a firstend to the first front wheel assembly and at a second end to the atleast one first side structural member; and at least onelongitudinally-extending second side suspension arm, the at least onelongitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled at a firstend to the second front wheel assembly and at a second end to the atleast one second side structural member.
 2. The outdoor power equipmentunit of claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinally-extending firstside suspension arm is fixedly coupled at the first end to the firstfront wheel assembly and pivotally coupled at the second end to the atleast one first side structural member, and further wherein the at leastone longitudinally extending second side suspension arm is fixedlycoupled at the first end to the second front wheel assembly andpivotally coupled at the second end to the at least one second sidestructural member.
 3. The outdoor power equipment unit of claim 1,wherein the at least one longitudinally-extending first side suspensionarm is pivotally coupled at the first end to the first front wheelassembly and pivotally coupled at the second end to the at least onefirst side structural member, and further wherein the at least onelongitudinally-extending second side suspension arm is pivotally coupledat the first end to the second front wheel assembly and pivotallycoupled at the second end to the at least one second side structuralmember.
 4. The outdoor power equipment unit of claim 3, wherein the atleast one longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm comprises apair of parallel side suspension arms, and further wherein the at leastone longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm comprises a pairof parallel side suspension arms.
 5. The outdoor power equipment unit ofclaim 1, further comprising a first shock absorber assembly pivotallycoupled at a first end to the front structural member and at a secondend to the at least one longitudinally-extending first side suspensionarm, and a second shock absorber assembly pivotally coupled at a firstend to the front structural member and at a second end to the at leastone longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm.
 6. The outdoorpower equipment unit of claim 5, wherein the first shock absorberassembly and the second shock absorber assembly respectively comprise atleast one of a shock absorber and a suspension spring.
 7. The outdoorpower equipment unit of claim 1, wherein the front structural membercomprises at least one front plate, and further wherein the at least onefront plate comprises a plurality of mounting locations to allow forvaried mounting points for each of the first suspension arm, the secondsuspension arm, the third suspension arm, and the fourth suspension arm.8. The outdoor power equipment unit of claim 1, wherein both the firstsuspension arm pair and the second suspension arm pair are configured toindependently pivot about the front structural member such that each ofthe first front wheel assembly and the second front wheel assembly arevertically displaceable relative to the frame.
 9. The outdoor powerequipment unit of claim 8, wherein the first front wheel assembly andthe second front wheel assembly are configured to remain in verticalalignment with a respective vertical axis regardless of a position ofvertical displacement relative to the frame.
 10. The outdoor powerequipment unit of claim 1, wherein the first front wheel assemblycomprises a first caster wheel assembly having a first ground-contactingwheel, a first yoke supporting the first ground-contacting wheel, afirst post vertically extending from the first yoke, and a first jointconfigured to receive the first post, and wherein the second front wheelassembly comprises a second caster wheel assembly having a secondground-contacting wheel, a second yoke supporting the secondground-contacting wheel, a second post vertically extending from thesecond yoke, and a second joint configured to receive the second post.11. The outdoor power equipment unit of claim 10, wherein the firstrespective end of each of the first suspension arm and the secondsuspension arm is pivotally coupled to the first joint of the firstcaster wheel assembly, and further wherein the first respective end ofeach of the third suspension arm and the fourth suspension arm ispivotally coupled to the second joint of the second caster wheelassembly.
 12. The outdoor power equipment unit of claim 1, furthercomprising a pair of rear wheels, wherein each of the pair of rearwheels is suspended from the frame.
 13. The outdoor power equipment unitof claim 12, further comprising a cutter deck, wherein a portion of thecutter deck is positioned between the first and second front wheelassemblies and the pair of rear wheels.
 14. The outdoor power equipmentunit of claim 13, wherein the cutter deck comprises at least three mowerblades.
 15. The outdoor power equipment unit of claim 14, wherein theposition of the first front wheel assembly and the second front wheelassembly is configured to be adjusted based on an axial location of twoof the at least three mower blades within the cutter deck.
 16. Theoutdoor power equipment unit of claim 15, wherein the first front wheelassembly is configured to be laterally offset from a transverse axis ofa first mower blade and the second front wheel assembly is configured tobe laterally offset from a transverse axis of a second mower blade. 17.The outdoor power equipment unit of claim 12, wherein the cutter deck isat least partially coupled to the at least one first side suspension armand the at least one second side suspension arm such that verticalmovement of the at least one first side suspension arm or the at leastone second side suspension arm enables corresponding vertical movementof at least a portion of the cutter deck.
 18. A front wheel independentsuspension system for outdoor power equipment, the independentsuspension system comprising: a frame, wherein the frame comprises atleast one laterally-extending structural member and at least twolongitudinally-extending structural members located on oppositerespective sides of the laterally-extending structural member; a firstfront wheel assembly; a second front wheel assembly; a firstlaterally-extending suspension arm pair, wherein the firstlaterally-extending suspension arm pair comprises a first suspension armpivotally coupled at a first end to the at least one laterally-extendingstructural member and pivotally coupled at a second end to the firstfront wheel assembly, and a second suspension arm arranged substantiallyparallel to the first suspension arm and pivotally coupled at a firstend to the at least one laterally-extending structural member andpivotally coupled at a second end to the first front wheel assembly; asecond laterally-extending suspension arm pair, wherein the secondlaterally-extending suspension arm pair comprises a third suspension armpivotally coupled at a first end to the at least one laterally-extendingstructural member and pivotally coupled at a second end to the secondfront wheel assembly, and a fourth suspension arm arranged substantiallyparallel to the third suspension arm and pivotally coupled at a firstend to the at least one laterally-extending structural member andpivotally coupled at a second end to the second front wheel; at leastone longitudinally-extending first side suspension arm, the at least onelongitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled at a firstend to the first front wheel assembly and pivotally coupled at a secondend to one of the longitudinally-extending structural members; and atleast one longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm, the atleast one longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled ata first end to the second front wheel assembly and at a second end tothe other of the longitudinally-extending structural members.
 19. Thefront wheel independent suspension system of claim 18, furthercomprising a first shock absorber assembly configured to absorb shocktransmitted from the first wheel assembly, and a second shock absorberassembly configured to absorb shock transmitted from the second wheelassembly, wherein the first shock absorber assembly is pivotally coupledat a first end to the at least one laterally-extending structural memberand at a second end to the at least one longitudinally-extending firstside suspension arm, and further wherein the second shock absorberassembly is pivotally coupled at a first end to the at least onelaterally-extending structural member and a second end to the at leastone longitudinally-extending second side suspension arm.
 20. A mowercomprising: a frame, the frame comprising at least onelaterally-extending structural member and at least a pair of opposite,longitudinally-extending side structural members; a first front wheelassembly; a second front wheel assembly; a pair of rear wheels; a firstpair of substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension armspivotally coupled at a respective first end to the at least onelaterally-extending structural member and pivotally coupled at arespective second end to the first front wheel assembly; a second pairof substantially parallel, laterally-extending suspension arms pivotallycoupled at a respective first end to the at least onelaterally-extending structural member and pivotally coupled at arespective second end to the second front wheel assembly; at least onelongitudinally-extending first side suspension arm coupled at a firstend to the first front wheel assembly and at a second end to a first oneof the longitudinally-extending side structural members; at least onelongitudinally-extending second side suspension arm coupled at a firstend to the second front wheel assembly and at a second end to a secondone of the longitudinally-extending side structural members; and aportion of the cutter deck positioned between the first and second frontwheel assemblies and the pair of rear wheels.